Staying Healthy

Tap water: to drink or not to drink?  Every seasoned traveler has a story about getting sick from something they ate or drank.   Developing countries pose the highest risk for water or foodborne illnesses.  I take precautions about what I consume.  The first is to avoid tap water.  That means, I don’t drink water served at a restaurant unless I see that it has come from a sealed bottle.  Ice can’t be trusted either because it’s generally made from tap water.  After checking in at my hotel or Airbnb I visit a store to purchase a few large bottles of water.  I use bottled water for drinking, making coffee, and brushing my teeth. 

Foods are another source of bacteria that can cause illnesses including traveler’s diarrhea.  Some of the biggest culprits are raw or undercooked foods, so be sure that the food you eat has been thoroughly cooked.  Outside of North American, Japan, and Europe, I don’t trust salads, fresh vegetables, freshly squeezed juices, or fresh fruit.  Dry foods such bread or foods sealed in plastic (i.e., potato chips and nuts) are generally safe.   The CDC has country-specific suggestions about eating and drinking (click here).